The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 73
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI 4. "Whoever lives from among you shall meet Isa, Son of. Mary (Jesus), who is Imam, Mahdi, Arbitrator. and Judge. " (Musnad. Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Vol. 2, P 411). The above two sayings of the Holy Prophet make it clear that the Promised Messiah and Mahdi will not be two persons but are two titles of a single person. 5. "When one thousand, two hundred and forty years will pass, God will raise a Mahdi. "(An-Najmus Saqib, Vol. 2, P. 209). In accordance with above prediction by the Holy Prophet,. Hadhrat Ahmad the Promised Messiah and Mahdi was born in midthirteenth century AH (After Hijra) and made his divine claim in the early part of 14th century Hijra (1889). 6. "That Ummah (community) can never die which has me at one end and Messiah, Son of Mary, at the other. " (Ibn Maja, Bab. Al-latisam Bis Sunnah). In this saying by the Holy Prophet, successful defence of. Islam by the Promised Messiah the champion of Islam has been predicted. . It should be pointed out that many of the sayings (Hadith) attributed to the Holy Prophet Mohammad, peace by upon him, about the Mahdi and Messiah are of doubtful authenticity. Some of these give a confusing set of signs. This is the opinion of eminent Muslim theologians. A few sayings of the Holy Prophet which we have selected give the positive picture, summarize the predicted situation, and are considered authentic. . Various signs and prophecies about the appearance of the. Mahdi and the Promised Messiah mentioned in sayings of the Holy. Prophet Mohammad, peace be on him, (in authentic Hadith) and about the later days in the Holy Quran in which such a reformer was to appear, have been discussed by Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin. Mahmud Ahmad, the Second Successor of Hadhrat Ahmad. He writes: "Besides these prophecies, detailed prophecies concerning the advent of the Promised One are given in Islamic books, all of which have been fulfilled. Some of those may be mentioned here. It 73